Gymnastic and playing device

ABSTRACT

A gymnastic and playing device is shown formed of a rod that is made of bending resistant material and having on each end of the rod a pear-shaped thickened section where the conical sections of each thickened section face each other. The outer portions of each pear-shaped section has a ball-like contour and is comprised of elastic deformable material. The pear-shaped sections have at least one circumferential groove configured to receive the fingers of a hand.

The invention relates to a gymnastic and playing device formed of anessentially bending-resistant rod, having elastically deformablethickened bodies attached at the ends of the rod, whereby the axis ofrotation of the thickened bodies and the longitudinal axis of the rodcoincide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the known devices of this kind, the end thickenings arespherically shaped, that is a sphere is located at each end. It is true,that it is possible with these devices to carry out some exercises;however, the attachment of a spherical globe at each end of the rodpresents difficulties; moreover, the transition from the stick to thespherical thickened sections has turned out to be unhandy andinexpedient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based essentially on the task of improving the abovedevices in such a way that they will become handier and may be used forother possibilites of utilization. In addition, the invention strives toachieve a stronger connection between the rod and the thickened endbodies.

For the solution of this task and according to the invention, thethickened end portions of the rod are made essentially pear-shaped insuch a way that their conical sections face each other.

In the device of the present invention, the point of connection betweenthe rod and the thickened end portion are enlarged by an amountcorresponding essentially to the length of the conical part of thethickened section; thus a durable, intimate connection will be achieved,which is particularly important because of the elastic deformations ofthe thickened sections. Furthermore, the pear shape configuration of theenlarged terminal sections leads to a harmonic, gradual transitionbetween the rod and the largest diameter of the thickened end portion.This now additionally provided section of the thickened end portionenables the placing of indentations or grooves in the thickened endsections in order to be able to increase the handiness of the device. Itfurthermore is possible to keep the thickened section in the area of itslargest diameter smooth and thus capable of being rolled off and todesign a desired profile in the remaining conical area.

The conical area, determined by the pear shape is made preferably withan opening angle of about 45°-65° and an overall length of the thickenedend section of say 70-100 mm and a maximum diameter of about 50-70 mm.

The terminal surfaces of the thickened sections may also be providedwith notches, in order to balance the device more easily when standingupright, as for example, when stacking the devices together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is further illustrated by the accompanying drawing whichshows a gymnastic and playing device. The rod is shown broken andthereby indicates that the length of the rod is not drawn to scale.

In further detail, the FIGURE shows a gymnastic device in a top view,wherein, however, each of the thickened sections is different forpurposes of illustrating the invention, and one thickened end is shownin partial sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An essential component of the device of the invention is abending-resistant rod (1) with a diameter of, for example, 8-10 mm. Itis made preferably of a bending resistant plastic, and especially ofglass fiber, in order thus to achieve a high mechanical strength andtoughness. The rod is in a broken section in the FIGURE simply forillustrative purposes. Tough, resilient synthetic substanes are wellknown for use in fabricating the rod of this device. At the two ends ofthe rod (1), there are thickened sections (2) of approximate pearshapedform, and having a generally conical section (3) and a hemisphericsection (4) at the end, which terminates each end of the device. Thearea or section between the hemispherical end portion and the conicalsection is of a non-hemispherical shape containing at least onecircumferential indentation. It is to be noted that the two thickenedsections having their respective conical sections (3) in facingrelationship with each other.

The thickened end sections (2) can be formed of a cellular rubberymaterial, or a rubbery material having pores, or a plastic similar torubber in such a way that elastically deformable end parts will result.Natural or synthetic rubbers or rubbery polymeric material of thedesired characteristics can be used for this purpose. These substancesare known in the art. Thus even a soft foam may be used, or even ahomogeneous, non-cellular or porous material can be utilized.Construction of the device in this way facilitates grabbing of thedevice by users. The thickened sections (2) have a central bore (5) as apocket hole, which ends at the point of the largest diameter of thethickened section (2) and is fitted with the ends of rods. The thickenedsection (2) at the same time may be placed on the rod with prestress,may be made to adhere to or be connected in some other way with the endof the rod.

The opening angle of conical section (3) as shown is about 55°, andforms an essentially smooth transition without interruptions between thesurface of the rod 1 and the conical section of the thickened section(2). This is the angle formed between two lines, each drawn tangent tothe conical surface of the thickened sections from a point located onthe rod ahead of the point where the thickened section meets the rod toa point out beyond the end of the thickened sections. This angle canrange from about 45° to 65°.

In order to ensure a sufficient ability to be gripped by the user of thedevice in the area of the thickening (2), the section (3) is designedwith one, possibly with two, circular and gradually deepeningcircumferential grooves (6). As a result of that, a knoblike formationis formed in the area of the largest diameter of the thickened section,which simplifies a clutching or grabbing of the thickened section (2)from the terminal end. This knob-like formation is indicated at (7) andis formed at the hemispherical end of the device.

At the outermost end of the device there is also a notch (8), whichsimplifies a balancing of the device in a perpendicular position; forthis a second device or possibly an extended finger member (now shown)may be used.

It is furthermore important, that the conical section (3) may yet beprofiled with even a larger angle, however, it is advisable to form thethickened section (2) in the area of its largest diameter, viewed in theperipheral direction, always smooth in such a way that the device beable to roll on a level support surface. That is, the hemispherical endis formed with a smooth peripheral surface at the point of maximumdiameter.

It is advantageous according to the invention that the device over itsentire length has a dimension of about 300-500 mm.

In accordance with the foregoing description, the device of the presentinvention can be used in manifold ways for rythmic exercises and play.

I claim:
 1. An exercise stick comprising:two pear-like members having the same size and shape, each of the members having a tapering portion terminating in a thickened outer portion at one end and a narrow portion having a central bore therein at the other end, the outer portion of each member being ball-like and comprising elastic, deformable material in the axial direction and having a largest radial section providing a smooth surface for adapting the exercise stick to roll on a flat surface, the tapering portion of each member having at least one circumferential groove configured to receive fingers of a hand; and a cylindrical, flexural rod having two opposing end portions received within the narrow portion of each pear-like member to connect the members in spaced-apart relationship, the rod having an axial length substantially several times longer than the axial length of the tapered portion.
 2. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central bore of each tapered portion has a depth corresponding to the axial distance between the end of the narrow portion and the largest radial section.
 3. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 2, wherein each tapered portion and the rod form an angle of 45° to 65°.
 4. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer portion has a notch.
 5. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tapered portion has an incline of about 55°.
 6. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pear-like members have a diameter of about 50-70 mm and an axial length of about 70-100 mm.
 7. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bore has an axial depth corresponding to the axial length of the tapered portion.
 8. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 7, wherein the length of the stick is about 300-500 mm.
 9. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rod comprises a resilient plastic and has a diameter of about 8-10 mm.
 10. An exercise stick as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rod is made of glass fiber. 